One of the goals I have through the articles I write is to use bible prophecy as a means of encouraging fellow believers concerning the soon rapture of the church. I often talk about the rapture and rightfully so as it’s our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). It’s an event we should be looking forward to as even Paul alludes to this reality,
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Reunion & First Time Meet-up
It’s at the rapture when we will see our Lord face to face for the first time and from then on, we will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4 :17). It will serve as a reunion with departed family and loved ones that put their faith in the Lord as they will be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). This will also be the first time in history that believers from all ages will meet for the first time (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).
What joy it will be to not only see the Lord on that day, but to share in the excitement with loved ones you may have not seen for years and to be acquainted with brothers and sisters in Christ you may have met online for example but never had the opportunity to meet in real life.
Glorification of Believers
Paul also expresses to us in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 that during this event our current corruptible mortal bodies will be changed to incorruptible immortal bodies – we will be glorified! This means that the same resurrected body Jesus has, we also will have because we will be like him (1 John 3:2). And what Jesus was able to do with that body, we also will be able to do with our glorified bodies. Here are some things we can likely expect upon receiving our glorified bodies as we examine what Jesus did after His resurrection:
- He could partake in a meal (Luke 24:40-43)
- He could be felt and touched (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:38-39; John 20:20, 27)
- He appeared in a room without coming through the door (Luke 24:36-37; John 20:19, 26)
- He was able to vanish from sight (Luke 24:30-31)
With His glorified body, Jesus was not bound by time, space, or any other laws of the natural world we’re accustomed to in our current bodies.
Now, I want to set our minds beyond the rapture as I give an overview of what we have to look forward to. Yes, the rapture is of immense significance but there’s still much more that occurs after this event that we shouldn’t miss. I believe that when we understand this full picture it’ll further add to the excitement and eagerness we have concerning the Lord’s return.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
At the rapture, we’ll be taken to heaven (John 14:1-4). It’s at this point we will all stand before the Lord in an event known as the “Judgment Seat of Christ” (also known as the “Bema” seat or “Bema” seat judgment) (Romans 14:10). Some see the word “judgment” and get worried that our salvation hangs in the balance, that Christ will suddenly pull the rug from underneath us – so to speak – causing our salvation to be revoked and us to be kicked out of heaven for bad things done in this life.
Thankfully, this is not what the judgment is about. We are not judged unto condemnation. What will be judged are the works we did (or lack there of) in this life. Based on what we’ve done, good or bad, we will either gain or lose rewards (2 Corinthians 5:10).
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
Although scripture doesn’t divulge every detail concerning the rewards the Lord may give to us, it does speak on the reality of 5 crowns a believer may attain:
- The Imperishable Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
- The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
- The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)
- The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:2-5)
- The Crown of Life (James 1:12)
We can clearly see that this is a time worth looking forward to! This means that the Lord sees what we’re doing and none of it will go to waste so we should not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). This also means that what we do for the Lord NOW will have an eternal impact.
The Marriage & Marriage Supper of the Lamb
As amazing as the rapture will be, as well as the giving of rewards by the Lord himself to those who have been faithful in this life, there’s still more to look forward to even beyond that!
What follows the judgment seat of Christ is the Marriage of the Lamb in heaven which all believers will partake in, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints,” (Revelation 19:7-8).
Currently, we’re considered the “bride of Christ”. We’re “betrothed” to the Lord but one day we will no longer be the bride of Christ but rather His wife. We will one day be “presented” to the Lord in marriage (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2). Paul himself makes it clear that marriage is ultimately meant to be a picture of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:32).
After the marriage is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, “Then he said to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”” (Revelation 19:9). Interpretations vary as to the timing of the marriage supper; whether it takes place in heaven or on earth at the inauguration of the millennial kingdom. For my purposes in this article I won’t delve into this. What’s important for us to understand is that we can expect a marriage supper awaiting us in the future as well!
Judgment of the wicked at the Second Coming
After our grand celebration with the Lord and fellow believers in heaven, we will return with Him back to the earth (Zechariah 14:1-2, 5; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 17:12-14, 19:17-21). It’s at this point that the 7 year tribulation will run its course and the Lord will judge the wicked. This future judgment shows us that God is just and that one day judgment will catch up to those in this life that now seem to prosper and succeed in their wickedness as if God is asleep.
The Millennium
Once the kings of the earth and their armies are judged, the Antichrist and false prophet thrown alive into the lake of fire, and Satan bound in the abyss, Christ will finally set up His kingdom on the earth in which we will rule and reign alongside Him for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6). For me, the millennial reign of Christ occupies more of my thoughts and imagination, even more so than the rapture despite the rapture being the event that actually gets us there.
So much so that I’ve written a fictional story that takes place during this time which you can find here. Although this isn’t the eternal state, it’s still a time period worth longing for. Scripture articulates to us that it will be a time absent of war or violence (Isaiah 2:4), a time when the animal kingdom is at peace with itself (Isaiah 11:6, Isaiah 65:25), and humanity at peace with animals (Isaiah 11:7-8).
It’s a time when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years ensuring that there will be no deception or Satanic influence in the world at this time (Revelation 20:1-3). It will be a time of true justice, righteousness, prosperity, and full knowledge of God on the earth (Isaiah 2:3, 9:6-7, 11:9). Such a glorious time to look forward to.
The Eternal state
Lastly, after the millennial reign of Christ (and subsequent Great white throne judgment per Revelation 20:11-15) will be the eternal state. The current heavens and earth will be burned up as God will create a new heavens and earth (Revelation 21:1-5). As the bible beautifully describes to us, from this point on, till forever, there will no longer be death, pain, or tears for the Lord will make all things new. We will dwell with the Lord, and He, with us, forever.
Live in Light of Eternity
As we reflect on these future events, we can be confident that they will happen because the Lord has declared these things to be faithful and true (Revelation 22:6-7, 16). So as we still wait expectantly for these promises to be fulfilled, we need to be sure that the way we live now should be in light of this truth.
How do we do that? For one, this means we shouldn’t be afraid of what’s to come before then (2 Timothy 1:7). The state of affairs on this planet is going to get much worse before it gets much better. But God has revealed the end to us, and we know He wins, and we’re victorious with Him. We should remind ourselves of this truth often as we see the prophetic stage getting setup around us.
As it’s often said, bible prophecy is meant to prepare us, not scare us. This truth should also spur us on to holier living (1 John 3:2-3, 2 Peter 3:10-13).
A proper understanding of the Lord’s coming and these future events should transform our behavior in the present. If we know the Lord could come for us today, how much more should we be sharing the gospel with the lost?
If we know that we will one day have to give an account to the Lord concerning our actions in this life which could result in rewards gained or lost, how much more should we be diligently serving the Lord now?
As we excitedly wait for the return of the Lord let’s continue to dwell on these prophetic truths and redeem the time for the Lord!
